Hayne is the senior vice president of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley in Bethlehem, Pa. Prior to his current position, Hayne also served as executive director of United Way of Jackson County in Jackson, Mich., and executive director of family service and aid in Jackson, Mich.

Timothy R. Kelly

Age: 49

Resides: Mountain Top, Pa.

Kelly has been serving the United Way organization for 20 years and is currently executive director of the United Way of Monroe County in Tannersville, Pa. Prior to his position at the United Way of Monroe County, Kelly served as the vice president of resource development at the United Way of Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and the director of fundraising at the United Way of Brown County in Green Bay, Wis.

Steve Mahler

Age: 35

Resides: Oneida

Mahler is vice president of marketing and strategic planning at Partners Trust Bank, where he served as chief communicator and perception strategist during two bank acquisitions. He is the United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area volunteer vice president of fund allocations and executive committee member of the board of directors. He is corporate campaign coordinator for the United Way of Central New York and the United Way of Broome County.

* Timothy R. Kelly, executive director, United Way of Monroe County in Tannersville, Pa.

The board of directors is expected to choose a new executive director at its Dec. 13 meeting.

“The committee is very pleased that we have three strong individuals,” said Todd Hutton, Utica College president and search committee co-chair.

The 15-member search committee received more than 30 applications from people interested in the position, Hutton said. Eleven semifinalists participated in phone interviews before three finalists were chosen, he said.

The interview process began with community focus groups, and each finalist will participate in an open interview reception, Hutton said. The search committee is looking for someone with a “whole matrix of qualities” that the new executive director should possess, Hutton said.

“We need someone who can build, lead and motivate an effective team,” he said. “We need someone who can champion change.”

The successful candidate will have the ability to articulate the United Way’s vision and strategic plan of the organization to the community; he must have good financial management and fundraising ability; and he should be empathetic, compassionate, fair, trustworthy and have a good sense of humor, Hutton said.

“We’re a very diverse community and that person must be able to work with our various groups,” he said.

Local candidate Mahler said he’s been a longtime United Way donor and has been active in nonprofit human services work.

“I’ve always been active in social services and human services, but it’s always been as a volunteer,” Mahler said. “This is an opportunity to do it full-time, professionally, and I’m very excited about the opportunity.”

Hayne has been researching the Utica area and said he believes there is an opportunity to help the United Way of Greater Utica become an even bigger leader in the community.

“I like smaller communities,” Hayne said. “I really feel that I get to know people better. There’s great potential to develop more resources and partnerships in the community among other funders.”

Kelly, who is originally from Upstate New York and grew up south of Auburn, said he has a great deal of fundraising experience and community development success.

“My heart lies in Central New York state,” Kelly said. “The reason why I’m applying is because I feel I can bring a lot to the area and the job.”

Robert L. Bradley, former New Hartford Central School District superintendent, will continue to serve as interim executive director until a decision is made. He replaced former executive director Scott Ferguson, who left the Mohawk Valley in August to become president of the United Way of Chattahoochee Valley in Columbus, Ga.